Can Babies in the Workplace Boost Productivity?
If your infant were hanging out in your office, would you get more -- or less -- done?
Some employers are wagering that keeping the wee one close at hand will ultimately pay off for the company, despite temporary productivity setbacks for new parents.
Jessica Marquez wrote about the trend of bringing babies to work in a recent issue of Workforce Management. Employers are starting to implement "babies to work" programs for a variety of reasons:
- It's an inexpensive way to attract and retain talent
- It's a low-cost or no-cost benefit that can boost morale
- It can reinforce a "we care" culture
- It's a way to put more money into workers' pockets, since they'll save on daycare
- It can encourage parents on paternity leave to return to work sooner
And lost productivity during the day is often made up by longer hours, feasible because the new child is near at hand and not needing attention at home.
Of course, such programs aren't without downsides. Although those interviewed said the babies usually sleep most of the time and aren't a distraction, as the parent of two former babies I can guarantee there would also be periods of crying, shrieking, laughing, and hideously smelly calls of nature -- occurrences that can be disrupting in a cubicle environment.
There are insurance considerations, of course; if you're a fork-lift operator, you probably don't want Junior riding shotgun. And who's in charge of the baby when you have to go into a meeting or take a bathroom break?
But overall, it's an interesting approach to creating more work-life balance for employees. And in an economic climate where businesses have to do more with less, it makes sense to keep your talent happy, engaged, and perhaps even a little grateful to be working for such an understanding company.